Engine



H. E. HOGAN ENGINE f Filed Dec. 5, 1939 SjKSheetsrSheet l ATTO RN EYS H. E. HOGAN ENGINE Filed Dec. 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 n NN +I l ...Il

Il II Il till L MN Nm ATTORN EYS H. E. HOGAN ENGINE Filed Dec. 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Yay v EH 073 INVENV'roR BY fe/WM@ ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT 9 Claims.

My invention relates to engines, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of a multicylinder engine so designed as to utilize a single crank and connecting rod.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view lof an engine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View with certain parts broken away for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4i| of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the multicylinder f feature with respect to a single crank;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of an engine having a lesser number of cylinders and arranged ver* tically; and

Fig. 11 is a sectionalview similar to Fig. l0 but rotated ninety degrees.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, the engine includes a basestructure I6, see Figs. 1 and 3, which base structure includes pedestals I2 provided with bearings i4 which support the crankshaft I6 having a single crank I8. To the wall 20 of the base I 6 I connect a cylinder unit 22, which unit'is illustrated as lying horizontally. In an engine embodying a large number of cylinders, particularly of the horizontal type, it may be necessary to provide a support 24 for the engine at its end opposite the base I6, as indicated generally in Figs. l and 3.

Cylinder unit 22 comprises a stationary half 26 and a slidable half 428, which slidable half is connected at 36 with a connecting rod 32 connected with the crank I8 in the usual manner. Thus, the half 28 is slidably related 'to the half 26 and motion is imparted `to the crank I6 through the reciprocatory motion of the half 26 relatively to its companion half 26.

Half 26 comprises sections 34, 36 and 36 arranged in end to end relation and connected into a unitary structure through the medium of bolts 46 associated with the flanges 42. Section 34 has one end bolted to a neck 44 fashioned as an integral part of the wall 26. Similarly, half 2B includes a section 46 and a section 48 each having a flange 50 xedly connected with the other flange by bolts 52. Sections 26 and 28 are semicircular in cross section and arranged to provide a bore 54 of uniform diameter,'see Fig. 4. Fig. 3 illustrates the half 26 as being somewhat longer than the half 28 to accommodate the sliding motion ofthe half 28.

Pistons y56 and 56 are flxedly secured to the half 26, and pistons 66,62 and 64 are also xedly connected .with the lhalf 28. The pistons 56 and 53 Shave 180 of their peripheral faces slidably engaging the bore face of the half 28, while the pistons-66, 62 and 64 have 180 of their peripheral faces slidably engaging the bore face of the half 26. While the half 28 slides longitudinally of the half 26, the end pistons B0 and 64 of the half 26 slidably engage the half 26 so as to provide a closed combustion chamber, with the half 26 of such length as to maintain a closed combusv tion chamber in all relative positions of the half 28.

Piston 56 is provided with a flange 66 positionedbetween the adjacent flanges i2 of the sections34 and 36 and clamped therebetweenby the bolts 46. Fig. 3 illustrates vthe pistons 66 and 56 in elevation. In the same way, piston 5B is provided with a iiange 68 secured between the adjacent flanges 42 of the sections 36 and 36. Piston 66 also includes a flange 16 secured between the flange'lZ on the section 46 and a flange M on `a collar 16. Flanges lll, 72 and 'lf2 are ixedly secured by bolts 18. Piston 66 includes projections betweenfwhich one end of the connecting rod 32 is positioned and pivotally connected thereto by a wrist pin 82, see Fig. 2.

Flange 84 of the piston 62 is secured between the adjacent flanges on the sections 4 6 and 8, while the flange 66 on the piston 64 is positioned betweena ange l88 on the section 48 and a flange Silon a collar v192. Flanges 86, 88 and 96 are secured into a unitary structure by bolts 94.

Sections 34, 36 and 38 of the half 26 are provided with longitudinal flanges 96 which have faces '68 lying in a common plane. The faces 98 upon the two sides of the half 26'are arranged V" apart, see Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Sections 46 and '46 are also provided with flanges |06 having faces |62 lying in common planes and lying upon the faces 98. Flanges |60 are somewhat narrower than the flanges 96 and have faces Hill against which I position aligning guides |66.v Aligning guides |66 lie on the areas of the faces 98 extending beyond the faces |64, and each aligning guide |66 upon each side of-the half 26 extends the full length of the latter, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Aligning guides v|66 are made secure to the flanges 96 Vby bolts |08 passing through openings H6 in the guides and threaded into the flanges 96, with the heads yI I2 of the .bolts countersunk slill into the guides, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. Openings are somewhat larger than the diameter of the bolts |08 so that the aligning guides |06 may be adjusted to the faces |64.

,'51* Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the flanges |80 are M provided with angular faces ||4 for engagement with the angular faces ||6 on bars ||8 lying on the aligning guides |06, with the bars ||8 made secure by `bolts |20 which extend through openl ings |22 in the bars and openings |24 in the aligning guides I 06 and threaded into the flanges 06, see Fig. 1. Openings |24 are of larger diameter than the bolts |20 to permit the aligning guides |06 to be adjusted. Bars H8 are coex- 151tensive in 1ength with the aiigning guides me,

see Fig. 1.

Each of the pistons 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 is provided with a plurality of rings |26 which extend completely about their respective pistons in the 20 usual manner. In Fig. 3, I illustrate the half 26 as being provided with intake ports |28, |30, |32 and |34. Half 26 is also provided with a series of exhaust ports |36, |38, |40 and |44 respectively associated with the intake ports |28 to |34. Figs. 25 1, 2 and s illustrate the pistons eo, s2 and 64 in one extreme position, and in the other extreme position, the pistons will take the positions indicated at |46, |48 and |50, see Fig. 3. According to Fig. 3, the pistons 60 and 62 are separated from the pistons 56 and 58 by spaces |52 and |54, respectively, when in one extreme position, which spaces are such as to maintain the intake ports |28 and |30 as well as the exhaust ports |36 and |40 uncovered at all times. In the other ex- 35 treme position of the pistons 60, 62 and 64, the piston 62 is separated from the piston 56 by a space |56, and the piston 64 is separated from the piston 58 by a space 58, which spaces are identical with those illustrated at |52 and |54. 4,0: All the intake ports and exhaust ports will, of course, be provided with conventional chambers and intake and exhaust valves in the manner of conventional internal combustion engines. Such valve devices are old and well known in the art 45 and need not be described in detail.

Referring to Fig. 2, piston 60 is provided with two compression locks |60 which are in the nature of rectangular blocks arranged to slide on the faces 98, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Compression locks |60 are recessed at |62 to partly receive the sealing rings |26 so that the locks will slide with the pistons. Each of the pistons 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 is provided with two compression locks |60. These blocks are identical in construction and operation so that the description of one unit will apply to al1. Referring to Fig. 5, the half 28 is recessed at |64 to house the locks |60, which locks have lengths corresponding to the lengths of their respective pistons, with the outer edges of the locks associated with the half 28 arranged in sliding engagement With the aligning guides |06. In Fig. 5, the locks |68 are urged against the faces 98 by reason of springs |66 lying in recesses |68 in the half 28.

Fig. 4 illustrates the compression locks |60 associated with the piston 56 as lying in recesses |10 in the half 26, and urged against the faces |02 by springs |12 disposed in recesses |14 in the half 26.

- From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof will be readily understood. Referring to Fig. 6, the half 28 may be considered as being in a firing position, at which time an explosion takes place in the space or chamber |52. As the half 28 is driven in the direction of the arrow |16, fuel in the space or chamber |56 will be compressed and fuel will be sucked into the space or chamber |54. At the same time, space or chamber |58 Will exhaust. Fig. '1 illustrates the half 28 positioned for its return stroke, at which time chamber |52 will exhaust and an explosion takes place in chamber |56. Fuel will be compressed in the chamber |54 and chamber |58 will suck in a new charge. Thus, the engine delivers one explosion for each half turn of the crank I8.

With the half 28 again positioned as illustrated in Fig. 8, an explosion takes place in chamber |54 while chamber |56 will exhaust and chamber |52 will draw in a new charge. Chamber |58 will compress the fuel therein. With the half 28 moved to the position of Fig. 9, an explosion takes place in chamber |58 and chamber |54 will exhaust. Chamber |56 will take in a new charge and chamber |52 will compress the charge therein.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an engine which may be of the multicylinder type with respect to function, `and in which the multiple cylinders are so devised as to actuate a single crank. The engine is characterized by relatively light weight and is so constructed as to minimize friction, as well as to embody relatively few parts. The shape of the engine is such as to minimize air resistance when used as an airplane motor. Some of the cylinders might be employed for air compressing purposes so that the engine and air compressor would be directly associated with the single crank. While the cylinder unit 22 embodies a split formation represented by the halves 26 and 28, the two halves are effectively joined for sealing purposes by reason of the ground surfaces ||4 and ||6. The compression locks |60 associated with all the pistons performs a sealing function so as to hold the gases from passing out the ends and between each cylinder. Pressure inside the cylinder unit merely tends to additionally seal the two halves, and the aligning guides |06 also perform a sealing function.

In Figs. 10 and 11, I illustrate a similar engine with the exception that the cylinder unit |18 includes one fixed piston |80 and two movable pistons |82, with the cylinder unit |18 arranged vertically. The cylinder unit is completely enclosed by reason of a housing |84, which housing may be controlled for temperature through the medium of a suitable refrigerating system (not shown). Cylinder unit |18 is mounted on a crank case |86, and the crank |88 and the connecting rod |90 are conventional. Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, illustrate an engine embodying a four cylinder design, while the engine of Figs. 10 and 11 embodies a two cylinder construction.

Having thus described certain embodiments of my invention in detail, it is, of course, understood that I do not desire to limit the scope thereof to the exact details set forth except insofar as those details may be defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An engine comprising a crank, a cylinder unit comprising a relatively fixed part and a relatively movable part, said relatively fixed part and said relatively movable part being so fashioned as to provide a bore, an operating connection between said movable part .and said crank, said relatively fixed part comprising sections, first pistons disposed in said bore, and means for fixedly connecting said sections and said first pistons into a unitary structure, said second part comprising sections, second pistons disposed. in said bore, .and means for fixedly connecting said last-named sections and said second pistons into a unitary structure, said first and second pistons being so arranged as to provide a plurality of ring chambers.

`2. An engine comprising a crank, .a cylinder unit comprising a relatively fixed part and a relatively movable part, said relatively fixed part and said relatively movable part being so fashioned as to provide a bore, an operating connection between said movable part and said crank, first pistons fixedly connected with the stationary part .and disposed in said bore, second pistons fixedly connected with said movable part and disposed in said bore, said first and second pistons being so arranged as to provide a plurality of firing chambers, compression locks operatively connected with said first pistons and said second part for sliding engagement with said second part, and compression locks operatively connected with said second pistons and said second part and arranged for sliding engagement with said rst part.

3. An engine comprising a crank, a cylinder unit comprising a relatively fixed part and a relatively movable part, said relatively fixed part and said relatively movable part being so fashioned as to provide a bore, an operating connection between said movable part and said crank, first piston means fixedly connected with the stationary part .and disposed in said bore, second piston means fixedly connected with said movable part and disposed in said bore, said first and second piston means being so arranged and cooperating in such manner .as to provide a plurality of firing chambers, compression locks operatively connected with said first piston means and said second part for sliding engagement with said second part, and compression locks operatively connected with said second piston means ,and said second part and arranged for sliding engagement with said first part.

4. An engine comprising a crank, a cylinder unit comprising a relatively fixed part and a relatively movable part, said relatively fixed part and said relatively movable part being so fashioned as to provide a bore, an operating connection between said movable part and said crank, a piston fixedly connected withI said stationary part and disposed in said bore, second pistons fixedly connected with said movable part and disposed in said bore, said first piston and said second pistons being so ,arranged and cooperating in such manner as to provide a plurality of firing chambers, compression locks operatively connected with said rst piston and said second part for sliding engagement with said second part, and compression locks operatively connected with said second pistons and said second part and arranged for sliding engagement with said first part.

5. An engine comprising a crank, a cylinder unit comprising a relatively fixed -part and a relatively movable part, said relatively fixed part and said relatively movable part being so fashioned as to provide a bore, an operating connection between said movable part and said crank, said relatively fixed part comprising sections, first pistons disposed in said bore, means for fixedly connecting said sections and said first pistons into a unitary structure, said second part comprising sections, second pistons disposed in said bore, moans for fixedly connecting said last-named sections and said second pistons into ,a unitary structure, said first and second pistons being so arranged as to provide a plurality of firing chambers, compression locks operatively connected with said first pistons and said second part for sliding engagement with said second part, and compression locks operatively connected with said second pistons and said second part and arranged for sliding engagement with said first part.

6. An engine comprising a crank, a cylinder unit comprising a relatively fixed part and a relatively movable part, said relatively fixed part and said relatively movable part being so fashioned as to provide a bore, an operating connection between said movable part and said crank, first pistons fixedly connected with the stationary part and disposed in said bore, second pistons fixedly connected with said movable part and disposed in said bore, said first and second pistons being so arranged as to provide a plurality of firing chambers, and sealing means for slidably guiding the Arelatively movable part with respect to the relatively fixed part.

7. An engine comprising a crank, a cylinder unit comprising a relatively fixed part and a relatively movable part, said relatively fixed part and said relatively movable part being so fashioned as to provide a bore, an operating connection between said movable part and said crank, first piston means fixedly connected with the stationary part and disposed in said bore, second piston means xedly connected with said movable part and disposed in said bore, said first and second piston means being so arranged and cooperating in such manner as to provide a plurality of firing chambers, and sealing means for slidably guiding the relatively movable part with respect to the relatively fixed part.

8. An engine comprising a crank, a cylinder unit comprising a relatively fixed part and a relatively movable part, said relatively fixed part and said relatively movable part being so fashioned as to provide a bore, an operating connection between said movable part and said crank, a piston fixedly connected with said stationary part and disposed in said bore, second pistons fixedly connected with said movable part and disposed in said bore, said iirst piston and said second pistons being so arranged and cooperating in such manner as to provide a plurality of firing chambers, and sealing means for slidably guiding the relatively movable part with respect to the relatively fixed part.

9. An engine comprising a crank, a cylinder unit comprising a relatively fixed part and a relatively movable part, said relatively fixed part and said relatively movable part being so fashioned as to provide a bore, an operating connection between said movable part and said crank, said relatively fixed part comprising sections, first pitsons disposed in said bore, means for fixedly connecting said sections and said first pistons into a unitary structure, said second part comprising sections, second pistons disposed in said bore, means for xedly connecting said ,lastnamed sections and said second pistons into a unitary structure, said first and second pistons being so arranged as to provide a plurality of firing chambers, and sealing means for slidably guiding the relatively movable part with respect to the relatively fixed part.

HUGH E. HOGAN. 

